Freezing apparatus



Sept- 3, 1945- H. w. cLuM 2,407,058

FREEZING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30. 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 3, 1946. H, w CLUM 2,407,058

FREEZING APPARATUS Filed Sept'. 30, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 3, 1946 2,407,058 FaEEzTNG APPARATUS Henry Walter Clum, Upper Darby, Pa., assigner to Philco Corporation,

elphia. Pa., a corporation o! Pennsylvania Application September 30, 1944, Serial No. 556,594

16 Claims. (Cl. 62-2) This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more porticularly torefrigerators embodying ice making mechanism.

One important object of the invention is the provision in a refrigerator of a novel mechanism for 'manufacturing and storing ice masses or cubes, so called.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an ice cube manufacturing mechanism which is operable in an automatic manner.

Further, an object of the invention is to provide means for storing the manufactured cubes in a manner whereby individual cubes are available for immediate use Without necessity for removing the mold structure from the refrigerator, or for manually freeing the cubes from the mold.

It is also an object of the invention to provide mechanism of the stated type that will be characterized by simplicity of operation, economical construction, and adaptation for mass production.

In the drawings: f

Figure l is a front sectional view of the upper portion of a, refrigerator equipped with a fully automatic embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along a plane indicated by line 2-2, Figure 1; I

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by line 3 3, Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the fully automatic embodiment of the invention, removed from the refrigerator;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a fragmentary portion of the invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional side view similar to Figure 2` but illustrating a semi-automatic embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view of a modified element of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 6.

With reference to the fully automatic embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the numeral I0, Figure 1, designates the upper portion of a refrigerator cabinet including an outer shell II, and an inner liner I2. Liner I2 forms a food storage compartment I3, in which is housed an evaporator I4 which is connected to Va suitable refrigerating system (not shown). The shell and liner are spaced and insulated from each other, as indicated at I5, according to well-known construction methods. The evaporator is divided by a wall I6 into a compartment Il for frozen storage, and a compartment I8 for housing the ice forming apparatus oi' the instant invention.

In accordance with the present invention, and

- 2 with reference toFigures 1 and 2, a mold I9 is provided in the upper portion of compartment I8, said mold having liquid-receiving receptacles, 20 and 2i respectively, which face in opposite directions so that when one of the receptacles is in an upright or liquid-retaining position the other receptacle will be in a position for gravity discharge of its contents. Each of the receptacles is divided into a plurality of substantially cubic compartments 22 having outwardly converging side walls 23 interconnected at terminal points 24 beneath the outer rim 25 of each receptacle 2n and 2|, the purpose o1' which will be explained hereinafter.

. The mold is mounted horizontally within compartment I8 for. periodic rotational movements through angles of 180 to positionally reverse said receptacles. and tothis end a motor III is provided which responds to certain predetermined temperature conditions in the mold. The mounting includes, adjacent the front end of the mold, a transverse angle support 3| having its ends secured to the walls of the evaporator, and upon which is mounted a hinged bearing 32, said bearing being urged into a normal vertical `position (Figure 2) by suitable means, such, for example, as leaf spring Y3l one end of which is anchored to the angle 3|. The upper end of bearing 32 is provided with a slot 34 adapted to receive a short axial'shaft or trunnion 35 projecting from the front end of mold I9 and having enlarged portions 36 on either side of the bearing to prevent accidental displacement of the shaft from the slot.

A The rearward end of the mold is provided with a cam 40 from which extends a short shaft or trunnion 4I preferably co-axial with forward tnmnion and having a splined clutch face 42 adapted to intermesh with a similar clutch face 43 on a short shaft 44 journalled in a bearing 45 in the walls of evaporator I4 and liner I2. The rearward or right hand end of shaft 44, as viewed in Figure 2, is provided with a large gear 46 adapted to be slowly rotated by motor 30 through a suitable reduction gear 41 and pinion 48 when the said motor is in operation. It will be noted that the inner end of shaft 44 has been provided with a cone-like ange 49 to facilitate intermeshing of the clutch faces 42 and 43 when positioning the mold within the evaporator.

` As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, water is 'supplied to the upper tray through an open ended tube 5I) which is connected to a convenient water supply source through a valve 5I.

As illustrated in connection with the semiautomatic embodiment, Figure 6, the said source in either of the embodiments may consist of a reservoir 52 located within the top of the refrigerator, which may comprise a covered trough or container 53 adapted to hold a measured quantity of water, or it may consist of a direct connection to the water supply pipe 54 (Figure 4) of the residence or building in which the refrigerator is located.

Valve 5I is of the type designed to release from the said source a measured quantity of water each time the valve is tripped, as by a handle 55, Figure 4. Valves of this type are well known and a detailed description herein is deemed unnecessary. For example, the royal flush valve of the Sloan Valve Company is a valve of this general type. However, the invention is not to be considered as limited to valves of this type as it may utilize valves of many well known types.

As illustrated more clearly in Figure 3, an electric switch 56, located within the insulation above cam 40, is adapted to be actuated by a cam follower 51, said follower comprising a roller 58 journalled in a half yoke 59 secured to the lower end of a depending switch-actuating shaft 60.

With particular reference to Figure 4, the movable switch arm 6I of switch 56 is connected alternately in series with first and second electric circuits 65 and 6B, respectively, including a common source of electrical energy, which, for'convenience, is indicated as a battery 61. Motor 30 is also connected to the battery in circuit with a thermostatic switch 68, located in thermal transfer relation with mold I9 whereby actuation of said switch is responsive to thermal conditions of said mold. The switch 68 is regulated so as to close when its temperature is reduced to the point at which water in the mold would be completely frozen, while it remains open at temperatures above this point. Closing of the switch energizes motor 90 to rotate tray I 9.

It will be noted that cam 40 (Figure 3) is provided with oppositely arranged elongated recesses 40a within one end of which cam roller 58 normally rests whenV the tray is in its normal horizontal position as illustrated.

In the operation of this fully automatic embodiment of the invention, let us assume the refrigerator has just been installed and connected to a suitable source of electrical energy. with the temperature throughout the cabinet relatively high. Mold I9 is facing upwardly, but empty, because no water has as yet been released by valve 5I. Cam roller 58 is resting in the right hand end of recess 68 of cam 4I), as viewed in Figure 3.

As the temperature of the refrigerator is reduced by the refrigerating system the temperature `of mold I9 will lower to the point at which water in the mold will have been completely frozen. At this point thermostatic switch 68 closes thereby energizing motor 30 through a circuit which includes conductors 30a and 38h, to start rotation of the mold in a counter-clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrows on cam 48 in Figure 3. Immediately upon initiation of this rotation, roller 58 is cammed upwardly out of recess 40a to the high side 69 of the cam, moving arm 6I of switch 56 upwardly into contact with stationary switch contact point 18 (Figure 4) to complete first circuit 65 containing a solenoid 1I which then acts to draw core 12 thereof downwardly to move switch arm 13 of switch 14 into contact with a stationary switch contact point 15 of second circuit 66, as indicated by the broken v 4 line positions of the movable switch arms 6I and The position now of the various elements of the mechanism is as follows; tray I9 is being slowly rotated by motor 30; cam roller 58 i5 riding on the high portion 69 of cam 40; first circuit 65 is closed and arm 13 of switch 14 is in its closed position relative to second circuit 66, but this circuit is open because of the raised position of switch arm 6I of switch 56.

The above condition prevails until tray I9 has been rotated through slightly less than at which position roller 58 drops into the left hand end of cam recess 40a (Figure 3) which action moves switch arm 6I back to its normal position contacting stationary switch contact point 11, thus breaking the rst circuit and permitting cove 12 of solenoid 1I to return toits normal position out of contact with switch arm 13. Switch 14 is preferably of the over-center type so that switch arm 13 remains in contact with switch contact point 15 of circuit 66. Second circuit 66 is thus completed through battery 61 and solenoid 18, which solenoid, when thus energized, moves its core 19 upwardly, as seen in Figure 4. The lower end of core 19 is attached to handle 55 of valve 5 I, which handle is drawn upwardly by the above described upward movement of core 19 to trip valve 5Iy releasing from the water supply a quantity of water sufilcient to fill upper receptacle 20 to the level of juncture 24 of dividing walls 23 thereof when the mold is in a level condition.

As clearly seen by reference to Figures 2 and 6, the water flowing into the upwardly facing receptacle first fills one of said cubic compartments from which it overflows into and fills the adjacent; compartments until all are lled to the level of the terminal point 24 of walls 23. The side walls of the receptacle are raised sufiiciently above terminal point 24 to prevent the water from flowing over rim 25 of the receptacle.

Upward movement of core 19 also moves switch arm 13 of switch 14 away from contact with point 15 to break the second circuit 66 thereby permitting core 19 of solenoid 18, and handle 55 of valve 5I to return to their normal position, as illustrated, thus resetting the mechanism for a subsequent cycle.

Water is preferably, but not necessarily, released into mold I9 at a point adjacent the position of thermostatic switch 68 whereby heat from the water may be quickly conducted to the switch. This heat causes the switch to open, breaking the motor circuit at the time roller 58 enters the leading end of recess 40a and tray I9 is in its normal level condition.

This condition of the mechanism remains until the water in receptacle 20 is completely frozen at which time thermostatic switch 68 closes to initiate another cycle, as described. At the completion of this succeeding cycle ice occupies the downwardly facing receptacle and water fills the upwardly facing receptacle. It should be particularly noted that the water now contained in the upper receptacle 2| is above freezing temperature which results in a flow of heat, through the metal wall of the receptacle. This heat melts a thin film of ice where the latter contacts the surfaces of the receptacle, thereby breaking the bond between said surfaces and the ice and permitting the cubes to drop into a storage container 8| 1ocated in the lower portion of compartment I8 below the receptacle.

The above described cycling of the fully automatic embodiment of the invention will continue until the water supply is either exhausted or completely cut oil. It is evident that by preventing operation of motor Il the supply of water will be cut off, as operation of valve I is dependent upon rotation of cam Il by the motor.

When this fully automatic mechanism is dlrectly connected to the water supply pipe Il of the building in which the refrigerator is installed, and it is desired to discontinue operation of the mechanism aftercompletion of a desired number of cycles, say, for example, four, it is necessary to provide some means to break the motor circuit. 'I'his may be accomplished in any of various ways, such, for example, as illustrated in Figure 5, wherein the motor circuit has been provided with a circuit breaking switch 82 responsive to a predetermined weight of ice cubes within container 8l. By thus breaking the motor circuit the thermostatic switch 68 is rendered ineifective to close the motor circuit. Container Il is supported within compartment Il on coil springs I3 in a position somewhat spaced above the compartment iloor. Container Il has depending therefrom switch arm Il of the circuit breaking switch B2. Springs I3 are designed so that they will retain container 8i in the illustrated position while under the load of a predetermined weight of ice, say, for example, that corresponding to the contents of three receptacles. In operation, container Il receives the successively deposited ice cubes 85 while remaining in the illustrated position. until the fourth load, for example, is deposited, at which time it will move downwardly to an extent moving contact cross bar 86 away from stationary contact points l1 to break the motor circuit and thereby prevent further cycling of the mechanism until such time that cubes are removed from the container. Removal of a sufficient number of cubes from the container will lighten the load upon springs I3 to an extent permitting them to raise the container" and close the switch 82, thus automatically resuming normal cycling of the mechanism to replenish the depleted supply of cubes.

Removal of mold I9 from the evaporator may be accomplished by raising the forward end thereof upwardly to an extent releasing trunnion 3S from slot 3l, then drawing the tray forwardly out of its engagement with clutch shaft Il. Replacement is made by reverse procedure.

Mold i! has no direct connection with evaporator I4 except through its end bearings. and in order to facilitate more rapid freezing of the water in the uppermostreceptacle a portion Il (Figure 1) of the evaporator wall has been shaped to conform with a radius substantially equal to the distance from the section of the tray to the rim thereof, and the sides of the tray may be provided with a plurality of fins l! for conducting heat from the tray to the evaporator.

Figure 6 illustrates a modified, semi-automatic form of the invention in which rotation of mold I9 is effected manually. In this form the mold is provided at its rearward end with a cam 9| (Figure '7) having opposed arcuate Il of substantially the same radius as cam roller Il. Extending rearwardly of cam SI is a short stub shaft 92 terminating in a. ball 93 snugly embraced, for rotational movement, by resilient lingers SI of a socket 95 secured to the rear wall lla of evaporator I'I. The forward shaft 35 has been provided with a handle 96 for manually rotatingthe tray. t

As in the previously described embodiment, release of water from reservoir 52, or other suitable 6 source of water supply, into tray i9 is dependent upon rotation of the tray and its associated cam. '111erefore, when itis initially desired to fill the receptacle 2l, handle 96 is grasped by the operator and rotated through Initiation of such rotation completes the iirst circuit 65 to prepare second circuit li to act as described above in connection with the preferred embodiment. At the completion of 180 rotation, roller 58 will drop into recess 9|, completing the second circuit B6, tripping valve 5I, and thereby releasing sufiicient water to nll receptacle 2l which is now uppermost. The water subsequently freezes, but in this case the mechanism remains in the same state until the tray is again manually turned through 180 at which time water is released into receptacle 2l to break the bond between the ice and tray and to permit the cubes to drop into container Il, as described above. It may be noted that in this embodiment there is no need` for the specialmounting of container 8| as the motor and associated mechanism and circuit have been removed. There is also no need for leaf spring 33 to urge the tray rearwardly as socket $5 holds the tray in position during normal operation of the device. Removal of the tray is accomplished in the same manner as heretofore described in connection with the preferred embodiment. Drawing the tray forwardly, after its removal ,from-slot 3| in bearing I2, springs lingers 9i outwardly and releases their grip upon ball 39. Bearing 32 drops out of the path of removal into the position illustratedby broken lines 91 (Figure 6).

From the above detailed` description it is evident that the invention provides a novel ice manui'acturing and storing mechanism adapted for automatic operation and characterized by simplicity, economy, and adaptability to mass production.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles in thermal transfer relation with each other, associated temperature reducing means, liquid supply means, means for rotating the mold to bring said receptacles successively into position to receive liquid from said supply means, and means responsive to the rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptacles. f

2. In a device of the character described, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, associated temperature reducing means, liquid supply means, an electric motor for rotating the mold to bring said receptacles successively into position to receive liquid from said supply means, a source of electrical energy, temperature responsive means in association with the mold for connecting and disconnectingthe motor with said source, and means responsive to rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptacles. Y

3. In a device of the character described, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, associated temperature reducing means, liquid supply means, motor means for rotating the mold to bring said receptacles successively into `position to receive liquid from said supply means, temperature responsive means in association with the mold for controlling operation of the motor, and means responsive to the rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptacles, said receptacles being in thermal transfer relation with each other whereby a relatively elevated temperature in the liquid A 7 delivered to one"receptacle may act to release the relatively cool solidified contents of the other receptacle.

4. In an ice making machine, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, temperature reducing means operatively associated with said mold, liquid supply means, means for rotating the mold to bring said receptacles successively into position to receive liquid from said supply means, temperature responsive means in association with the mold for controlling operation of the motor, and means responsive to the rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptaclesaid receptacles being in thermal transfer relation with each other whereby a relatively high temperature in the liquid delivered to one receptacle may act to release the frozen contents of the other receptacle.

5. In an ice making machine, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, associated temperature reducing means, liquid supply means, means responsive to mold temperature for rotating the mold to bring said receptacles successively into position to receive liquid from said supply means. and means responsive to the rotation ofthe mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptacles, said receptacles being in therma1 transfer relation whereby the liquid delivered to one of the receptacles may act to release the frozen contents of the other receptacle.

6. In a device of the character described, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, associated temperature reducing means, liquid supply means, means responsive to the temperature of the mold for rotating the mold through an angle of 180 to bring one of said receptacles into position to receive liquid from said supply means and to invert the other of said receptacles, and means responsive to the rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptacles.

'7. In an ice making device, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, associated temperature reducing means, liquid supply means, means responsive to mold temperature for rotating the mold through an angle oi.' 180 to bring one of said receptacles into position to receive liquid from said supply means and to invert the other of said receptacles, and means responsive to the rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptacles, said receptacles being in thermal transfer relation whereby the liquid entering one of said receptacles may reduce the temperature of the walls of the other receptacle to an extent freeing frozen contents from the latter.

8. In a device of the character described, a. mold having oppositely facing receptacles, associated temperature reducing means, liquid supply means, temperature responsive means operatively associated with the mold for rotating the mold to bring one of said receptacles into an upright position for reception of liquid from said supply means and to invert the other of said receptacles, means responsive to the rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the said upright receptacle, a container positioned for reception of the contents of the inverted receptacle, and means responsive to a predetermined weight of said contents in said container for rendering said rotating means inoperative.

9. In an ice making machine, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, temperature reducing means associated with said mold, liquid supply means, means responsive to mold temperature for rotating the mold to bring one of said receptacles into upright position for reception of liquid from said supply means and for inverting the other of said receptacles, means responsive to the rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the said upright receptacle, the temperature of the delivery of liquid transferring through said mold to the cold surfaces of the inverted receptacle to release the ice contents therefrom, a container positioned to receive said ice, and means responsive to a predetermined weight of ice in said container for rendering said rotating means inoperative.

10. In a device of the character described, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, associated temperature reducing means, liquid supply means, motor means for rotating the mold to bring said receptacles successively into position to receive liquid from said supply means, temperature responsive means in association with the mold for actuating the motor when the mold temperature reaches a predetermined minimum and for interrupting the operation of the motor when the temperature of the mold exceeds said minimum, and means responsive to the rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptacles.

11. In a device of the character described, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, temperature reducing means operatively associated with the mold, liquid supply means, means for rotating the mold through successive angles of to bring one of said receptacles into an upright position for reception of liquid from said supply means and to invert the other of said receptacles, means responsive to a predetermined minimum mold temperature for actuating the said rotating means, and for rendering said means inoperative when the temperature of the mold exceeds said minimum, and means responsive to the rotation of said mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptacles.

12. In ice making apparatus, a mold having oppositely facing receptacles, temperature reducing means operatively associated with the mold, liquidsupply means, mechanism operative only when the temperature of the mold is below a predetermined minimum for rotating the mold through angles of 180 to bring one of said receptacles into position to receive liquid from said supply means and to invert the other of said receptacles, and means responsive to the rotation of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the upright receptacle, said liquid elevating the temperature of the mold above said predetermined minimum to thereby render the rotating means inoperative and to break the bond between the frozen contents of the inverted receptacle and the surfaces of the latter so as to release the said contents from the receptacle.

13. An automatic ice making mechanism including a rotatable mold comprising oppositely facing receptacles, liquid supply means comprising a source of liquid and a control valve which when actuated delivers a predetermined quantity of liquid, means for rotating said mold to bring one of said receptacles into position to receive liquid from said supply means and to invert the other of said receptacles, and cam means associated with said mold in a manner responsive to the rotation thereof for actuating said valve to deliver said quantity oi' liquid to the upwardly t facing receptacle.

14. An automatic ice making mechanism including a mold comprising oppositely facing receptacles each oi' said molds being divided into a plurality of cubicles having outwardly diverging side walls, a liquid supply means comprising a source of liquid and a control valve adapted when actuated to deliver a predetermined quantity of liquid, motor means for rotating said 4mold to bring one oi' said receptacles into position to receive liquid from said Supply means and to invert the other of said receptacles, and cam means associated with said mold and responsive to the rotation thereof to actuate said valve.

15. An automatic ice making mechanism including a mold comprising oppositely facing receptacles each of said molds being divided into a plurality of cubicles having outwardly diverging side walls. avliquid supply means comprising a source of liquid and a control valve adapted when actuated to deliver a predetermined quantity of liquid, motor means for rotating said mold to bring one of said receptacles into position to receive liquid from said supply means and to invert the other of said receptacles, cam means associated with said mold and responsive to the rotation thereof to actuate said valve, and means responsive to temperature conditions within the mold for controlling the operation of said motor.

16. In a device o! the character described, a mold having a plurality of receptacles, temperature reducing means operatively associated with said mold, liquid supply means, mechanism for intermittently moving the mold to bring said receptacles successively into position to receive liquid from said supply means and subsequently into a position for gravity discharge of the contents thereof, and means responsive to the movement of the mold for actuating the supply means to deliver liquid to the receptacles, said receptacles being in thermal transfer relation with each other so that the liquid received in one ot said receptacles may eiIect an elevation of temperature in the walls o! another of the receptacles to thereby aid in discharge of thecontents of the latter.

HENRY WALTER CLUM. 

